Caleb and Nicole first met on Easter in 2022, when mutual friends invited them both to have lunch after church. Nicole was far too excited to be making new friends and was not thinking about meeting boys. Caleb thought Nicole was really cute but kept his cool for awhile. After a couple months of hanging out in groups, Caleb asked Nicole out (at the same house where they first met), and Nicole accidentally said yes, right before she left town for a month. They eventually went on a date, but it didn't work out at the time. Then, Caleb moved to Kansas for work.

Fast forward to the Fall of 2024. Nicole returned from vacation in Europe, and Caleb moved back from Kansas to Texas. In the time that Caleb left, the singles at church began hanging out together more often, so it was only right that Caleb started hanging out with everyone when he came back. Upon his return, Nicole noticed that Caleb was just more... Caleb. He seemed more confident, sure of himself, mature and still just as kind and servant-hearted as before. Except they still couldn't hold a conversation that wasn't about sports. Caleb wasn't even sure that Nicole was interested in having any conversation with him, so he kept trying to play it cool. Secretly, he was hoping that Nicole would come around eventually. This went on for some time until...

Nicole had to move to a new apartment. She was not doing great, so before moving, Caleb very kindly volunteered to help her move. In fact, he set a date with some other guys to help her move. Two and a half months early. But praise God Caleb offered, because Nicole really needed the help. So on a Friday afternoon into the night, early the next Saturday morning, and the next Wednesday after work, Caleb (and Brandon) helped Nicole pack up and move her belongings from her very large apartment to her much smaller apartment. And the constant reassurance throughout that process was Caleb's steadiness. She didn't admit it until later, but Caleb was one of the only people Nicole wanted to be around that weekend. Nicole's mom did go on record saying, "If Caleb still likes Nicole after this move, he has to be the one." Over the next few months, Caleb and Nicole spent more time with each other. Mostly in groups, with occasional Instagram messages shot back and forth. Somehow, though, the month of October threw Nicole and Caleb together. A lot. After Caleb promised himself that he would not spend any time alone with Nicole, since he was beginning to think that she would only view him as a friend. October included Nicole and Caleb both leading at the church youth's D-NOW retreat, going to a concert together in Austin, Caleb putting up curtains in Nicole and Christina's apartment, and going to a Dallas Stars game together. Some mutual friends (who were really wanting Caleb and Nicole to make this work) orchestrated a camping trip in their backyard, which involved everyone hanging out by the bonfire, then everyone individually left to go to bed, while Caleb and Nicole stayed talking around the fire with each other for a long time. That weekend results in Caleb and Nicole spending a lot more one-on-one time. This was when Nicole's feelings for Caleb kept growing, while Caleb was fighting off his own feelings because he continued thinking that Nicole only viewed him as a friend. All up until he got a monumental phone call from the same mutual friends, who told Caleb that he now had a window to ask Nicole out again. It turns out, Nicole had made it apparent to them that she "wouldn't be as freaked out" if Caleb asked her out again. This was as much of a green light as Caleb could have hoped for. The next day, (November 10, 2025) after work and Nicole's soccer practice, Caleb very nervously called Nicole and asked if she was free and wanted to hang out that night. Nicole said yes. When he came to pick her up and they got in his car, Caleb (still very nervously) asked if he could take her on a date. Nicole said yes. Caleb then asked if the date could happen right then and there. Nicole said yes again. Caleb and Nicole kept going on dates for a couple weeks, keeping it a secret from most of their friends until they became officially boyfriend and girlfriend a couple weeks later.

Fast forward to Saturday, May 23 2026, where Caleb had decorated his whole apartment with candles, blankets, flower petals, and a glowing "Will You Marry Me?" sign. This was probably the most nervous that Caleb had ever been in his life. Nicole had just finished shopping and having lunch with some friends, so when she walked into his apartment, she was stunned and barely able to stand up. Caleb recorded the whole process, and both him and Nicole watch the video several times afterwards to relive the moment. Caleb then took Nicole to their friend's house where family and friends were waiting to celebrate.

"Surreal" is a word that has been used many times to describe this whole journey. Being able to look back and tell this story is a grace that neither of us can explain, but we are unfathomably thankful for all the support and prayers that we have received from family and friends in our time of singleness, dating, and into engagement. Most of all, we are humbled by the Lord's kindness in the midst of every season, and our story wouldn't have made it here without Him. We are so excited to celebrate the Lord and His kindness with all of you as we enter into this next chapter of our lives!